Standard loads found on L.C. Smith hang tags 1887-1930:

12 gauge     3 dram            1 1/4 oz, shot
                      3 dram            1 1/8 oz, shot (after about 1920)

16 gauge     2 1/2 dram     1 oz, shot
20 gauge     2 1/4 dram     7/8 oz, shot

A1903 UMC salesman’s catalogue shows paper 12 gauge shells available in 2 5/8, 2 3/4, 2 7/8, 3, and 3 1/4 inch lengths. In addition, 12 gauge brass shells were also offered in a 2 1/2 inch length. The longer shells were usually for more and better wadding, not a heavier shot load.

Prior to WWI, the standard 2 9/16” 16 gauge load was 2 1/4 drams equivalent and 7/8 ounce of shot. The heaviest 16 gauge loads listed were 2 3/4 drams equivalent and 1 ounce of shot.

The famous Widgeon Duck Club 3 inch 20 gauge shells of the pre-WWI era were loaded with 2 1/2 drams equiv. and 7/8 ounces of shot, while the heaviest load in the 2 1/2 inch 20-gauge case was 2 1/4 drams equiv. and 7/8 ounce of shot.

A box of Winchester 12 gauge live bird loads with a rare over label that pictures famous shooter Fred Gilbert, distributed by Von Lengerke & Antoine Co., states that the shells contain SPECIAL WADDING GILBERT 3 inch, 3 1/4 DRAMS DUPONT, and 1 1/4 Ounces (1220 fps) Shot No. 7 T.C.

Fred Gilbert (1865-1928) was one of the world’s best known shooters of his time, using a L.C. Smith to win the DuPont World’s Pigeon Shooting Championship in 1895 and the "E. C." Inanimate Target Championship Cup in 1896. For more information about Turn-of-the-Century Shotshells and Loads

The Super-X 3 inch 12 gauge shell with 1 3/8 oz of shot and the 2 3/4 inch 3 3/4 dram equivalent 1 1/4 oz load (1330 fps) were both introduced in 1922. The 20 gauge 2 3/4 inch 1 oz Super-X also came out that year, and the 2 9/16 inch 16 gauge Super-X with 1 1/8 oz of shot was introduced in 1923. Winchester/Western brought out the 12 gauge 3 inch magnum with 1 5/8 oz of shot in 1935, the same year as the introduction of the Model 12 Heavy Duck gun.

By 1945, the Stoegers Shooters Bible listed Xpert and Xpert Super Skeet , Ranger Field , and Leader Staynless as being available in 2 5/8 inch 1 1/8 oz. loadings. By that time all Super-X, Super Speed, Leader Super Speed, and Ranger Brush loads were 2 3/4 inches with 1 1/4 oz of shot.

Bottom Line: The necessity of keeping the “Sweet Elsie” loads within the parameters of the intended loads cannot be stressed enough. These shotguns were not designed for heavy loads (such as 3 3/4 dram equivalent and 1 1/4 oz of shot), and the use of these loads is responsible for cracking many of the somewhat delicate headstocks.